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Definition of oswego tea

oswego tea

Plural:oswego teas
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• noun

1

North American An aromatic perennial flowering herb of the mint family (Monarda didyma), native to eastern North America and widely cultivated for its ragged, showy clusters of tubular scarlet flowers and fragrant citrus-scented leaves.

Example

"Hummingbirds and swallowtail butterflies frequently visit the vibrant red blossoms of the Oswego tea in late summer."

2

North American A fragrant herbal infusion brewed from the dried leaves and flower heads of the Monarda didyma plant, historically used by Native Americans and American colonists as a substitute for imported tea.

Example

"During the colonial boycott of British goods, many households brewed a soothing cup of Oswego tea from garden herbs."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for oswego tea

• Nearby Words

ostrich
ostrowskia
osun
oswego tea
other
othering
otherness

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Oswego tea. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/oswego-tea
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